Mobile App Development Trends – What Innovations Do the Coming Months Hold?

Mobile apps are an increasingly important part of our lives, and are developing at a dramatic rate. What will be the top trends over the rest of 2018?

Whether you want to check the football score, set a wake up call, order a pizza or access your bank, the chances are, you will turn to your smartphone and call up one app or another. Mobile apps have gradually become an intrinsic part of our lives, and we would be lost without them.

Every area of technology is in a never ending state of evolution and continuous improvement, and mobile app development is constant and rapid. Here, we take a look at some of the hottest areas that the developers are focusing on today – look out for them on an app near you over the coming months!

1) AMP and lazy loading

The drive towards Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is nothing new, and is one of the cornerstones of the “mobile first” age that allows mobile web pages to be faster and more responsive. The latest development on this theme is what’s called lazy loading. It is a technique whereby the page displays at the same time as it is fully loading, making the process appear far more seamless.

2) Instant apps

A feature pioneered by Google in 2016, instant apps are ones that a user can operate directly from the app store without the need to download and install them. Apps like Buzzfeed already have this feature, and we can expect plenty more to follow suit over the coming months.

3) Wearables

Wearables like the Apple Watch still have a slightly gimmicky feel about them, but those in the industry feel that this is the direction future technology will take. 2018 will bring more apps that increase the practicality of your wearable devices. Soon, you’ll be wondering how you ever managed without them.

4) Augmented Reality

Last year was heralded by many as the year virtual reality hit the mainstream, but for many, the really exciting development was not VR but AR. Apple and Google both released solid AR platforms, so the infrastructure is there for the developers to create some innovative AR apps to wow us over the course of 2018.

5) Internet of Things

IoT uptake is beginning to surge, as a growing number of households take control of their household gadgets via their smartphones. As turning on the heating or answering the doorbell while you are out becomes the norm, expect the range of IoT possibilities to continue to grow as more apps appear on the market.

6) Cloud based apps

The cloud has changed the way businesses think about software needs and backup systems, and it is logical that this trend will extend to our mobile devices sooner rather than later. Where storage space is at a premium, the cloud opens up a world of new found freedom and flexibility – cloud apps are definitely the future.

7) Artificial Intelligence

Chatbots are becoming the norm on a growing number of websites, and while they are less common in mobile apps, that is likely to change. They add a personal touch to the user experience, and are certain to become increasingly prevalent over the coming months.

While no business can expect to implement all these changes, it would be wise to pick one of two to focus on. A business web app developer can advise on the best strategy for your business.